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But a row has broken out after the Government said it was moving the increase to 68 forward.

What has the Government announced?

Under laws introduced by the last Labour government, the state pension age was due to increase to 68 between 2044 and 2046.

But in July, Pensions Secretary David Gauke announced plans to bring this timetable forward so that the state pension age increases to 68 between 2037 and 2039.

Labour points out that this means some people will have to wait longer before they are allowed to collect their pension.

In a sense, it means they lose money, because they will get less state pension during their lifetime.

Why has the Government done this?

David Gauke said it’s about making the system fair for everyone, including younger taxpayers.

He said: “I want Britain to be the best country in the world in which to grow old, where everyone enjoys the dignity and security they deserve in retirement.

“Since 1948 the state pension has been an important part of society, providing financial security to all in later life. As life expectancy continues to rise and the number of people in receipt of State Pension increases, we need to ensure that we have a fair and sustainable system that is reflective of modern life and protected for future generations.”

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What does Labour say?

Labour appears now to oppose increase the state pension age to 68 at all.

And it says the Conservatives are forcing ordinary working people to work longer.

Debbie Abrahams, Labour’s Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, said: “Thanks to the Tories increasing the State Pension age, 36.9 million people will be forced to work longer, at the same time that evidence indicates life expectancy has stalled in some places and is reducing in others.

“Conservative MPs must explain to the tens of thousands of people in their constituencies, why the burden of Tory austerity is being pushed onto them, while corporations and the richest individuals receive tax breaks.”

What is Labour’s policy?

Under the last Labour government, the state pension age was due to increase to 68 by 2044.

Legislation to implement this was introduced in the Pensions Act 2007.

However, Labour’s policy now is less clear.

The party’s manifesto in the June general election stated that the party “rejects the Conservatives’ proposal to increase the state pension age” above 66, but it also said: “We will commission a new review of the pension age, specifically tasked with developing a flexible retirement policy to reflect both the contributions made by people, the wide variations in life expectancy, and the arduous conditions of some work.”

It’s not clear entirely what this means, but it seems to suggest Labour would have different pension ages for different people depending on their circumstances.